Salt-shaker top.



. H. W. GUMSTOGK.

SALT SHAKER TOP. APE'LIOAi'IOH IIILEDJJAEJG, 1914.

Patented Feb. 9,1915.

FATE-N this ldifiE.

vEENIRIYIN. COMS'IOCK, F CHICAGG, IIELINOIS.

.sam-snennn rcr.

which it appertains to make and. use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in tops for salt shakers and the like and the primary object of the same is to provide a Li. shaker of the character described having means for varying the size of the discharge openings therein and for simultaneously agitating the salt within the shaker to which it is applied. v A. secondary object is to construct the device in such a manner as to render the process of filling the shaker to which it is applied, a very simple one. v

With the above objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction and combination herein described and claimed and shown in the drawings wherein j Figure 1 is a side elevation of my imtproved top showing its application to a salt shaker; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the cap with its discharge openings enlarged to their full extent; Fig. 3-is a similar View with the discharge openings entirely closed;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the invention with the upper cap removed; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the. line 55 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is a sectional perspective View of the upper cap and the agitator carried thereby.

In the embodimentillustrated in the accompanying drawings, I have shown my im proved top as comprising a lower cap 1, for attachment to a salt or pepper shaker (or other container), an upper cap 2 revolubly mounted upon said lower cap and an agitator 3 depending from said cap 2 and through an opening in the cap 1 as hereinafter described.

The lower cap 1 is preferably formed of metal and has its flat top 4 cut away at its central portion on a substantially annular zigzag line to provide ears 5 which are spaced suitable distances apart and extend radially inward within the opening in said Specification of Letters Iatent.

residing at.

- mandat a, was.

Application filed January 26, 1914. Serial No. 814,445.,

top. The depending flange 6 of the cap 1' isprovided with plurality of screw threads 7 which are preferably stamped therein and terminate in an annular head 8 spaced a suitable distance from the top 4:. The'upper no cap 2 is also preferably formed of metal and is" provided with a plurality of discharge openings 9 through its top 10. The number of discharge openings 9 is such that when the cap 2 is turned, an ear 5 will underlie s5 each opening and close the same or, when turned still further, said openings 9 Wlll register with the notches between said ears.

, The flange 11 of the cap 2 is. frictionally "engaged with the outer surface of the uppermost portion of the flange 6 which depends from the cap 1 hereinbei ore set forth.

In the drawings, I have shown the agitator 3 as being in the form of a depending "finger having its upper end bentlaterally as at 1:2 and soldered to the central portion of the cap 2', said finger depending e cccntrically from said cap and inclining outwardly from its upper was lower end.

As most clearly seen in Fig. 6, I have so shown the laterally bent portion 12 as being oil'set downwardly to provide a radially projecting. finger 13 which is of such a length and width to pass freely between any two of the ears 5 when the upper cap .is turned to close the discharge openlngs.

The finger 13 is spaced from the top 10 of the cap 2 a distance equal to the thickness of the top 4 of. the cap 1, and when said cap 1 is turned to uncover the discharge 9d openings, said finger will underlie one of the ears 5 and will prevent the removal of the cap 1.

By constructing the top of the ca 1 and the agitator. as herein described, w en the cap 2 is turned, the salt within the shaker S will be effectually loosened and, by the linger 13, shown in Fig. 6, any salt which may have accumulated on the un- Y der side of the cap 1 will be removed. It

will also be clear that by turning the cap 2 to a greater or less extent, the size of the discharge openings may be varied according to the use to which the invention is to be put or by entirely removing the 106:

upper cap 2, the shaker may be'easily filled through the opening in its top.

Although I have described my invention with considerable minuteness and as applied to a salt or pepper shaker, I do not 1 1's \Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. The combination with a condiment container having an open upper end 'pr vided with screw threads, of a cap shaped member having threads engaged with those on the container, said member having a central opening and a number of eais projccting radially inward into said opening, a cap having its top plate contacting with the top plate of said member, its flange being in frictional contact with a portion of the dependingfiange of said member, said cap having a number of perforations adapted to register with the spaces between said ears or to be closed by said ears, and a finger secured to the center of said cap and having one and offset downwardly, said end beingadapted to underlie said ears when the cap is turned to uncover said openings or to underlie the spaces between said ears when said cap is turned to close said openings.

2. The combination with a condiment ears projecting into the same, a second cap having its depending flange and top plate I contacting respectively with the depending flange and top plateof said first mentioned cap, said second cap having a number of openings adapted to register with the spaces between said ears or to overlie said ears, and an agitating finger depending eccentrically from said second mentioned. cap and projecting into the interior of the container, the upper end of said finger being bent laterally and ofiset downwardly to provide a retaining finger adapted to underlie said ears when the uppermost of said caps is in one position or to underlie the spaces between said ears when said cap is turned to another position. v i

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of 'two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY W. COMSTO'OK.

Witnesses OSCAR FORSLAND WALTER FrrcH. 

